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MEMOIR OF CHARLES FROST. 

[By Usher Parsons, M. D., of rrovidcncc, E. I., Member of the N. England Historic 
^> Genealogical Society.] 

[Mr. Editor: The last two numbers of your journal contained copies 
of ancient manuscripts relating to Richard Waldron, Charles Frost, and 
others, who were among the first settlers about the Pascataqua. These I 
have thought might serve to render a brief sketch of the life of Major Frost 
interesting to your readers.] 

Charles Frost was born in Tiverton, England, in 1632. He accom- 
panied his father to the Pascataqua river at the age of three or four years. 

His father, Nicholas Frost, was also a native of Tiverton, and resided 
"near Lemon Green, over against Bear- Garden." He had one sister, who 
"married Charles Brooks, a brazier in Crown Alley, London." He was 
born about the year 1595, and arrived at Pascataqua about 1635 or 1636^ 
and settled at the head of Sturgeon Creek, on the south side of Frost's Hill, 
where he died, July 20, 1663, and was buried in the rear of his house. He 
brought over a wife and two or three children. The wife is not mentioned 
in his will, dated 1650, from which it is to be inferred that she died before 
that time. This will was examined in court of probate, and, from some 
cause now unknown, was deemed "invalid and of none effect." The court 
ordered that his estate be divided among his children equally, excepting that 
Charles, the oldest, should have a double share, "for his care and former 
trouble." This amounted to £211. Charles took the homestead, with five 
hundred acres of land. To his second son, John, he gave three hundred 
acres in York, with a marsh valued at £65, the rest in money. To William 
Leighton, for his wife Catherine, personal property. To Elizabeth, when 
she should arrive of age, personal estate. To Nicholas, a house and lot 
adjoining Leighton's, and personal property ; he being a minor, was placed 
under the guardianship of his brother Charles. 

Catherine Leighton had a son and a daughter named John and Eliza- 
beth. The latter died young. The son married Oner Langdon, and was 
the ancestor of a numerous race, among whom were a grandson, Major 
Samuel Leighton of Elliot, and his son. General Samuel Leighton, who 
died in Alfred, Sept., 1848. Catherine married again, to Jose])li Hammond, 
who was Register and Judge of Probate, and had children by him. She 
died Aug. 1, 1715. 

Jo]l71 settled in York and afterwards at the Isles of Shoals, where he 
carried on fisheries. He died 1718, at Star Island, leaving a widow named 
Sarah, and a son Samuel, who inherited the York estate, and two others, 
named Samuel and Ithamer, and one daughter, who married William Fox, 
and three grandsons, the sons of John, the eldest of whom was named John. 

Elizabeth married William Smith. 

Nicholas followed the sea, was bound an apprentice as sailor to Thomas 
Orchard. He commanded a ship that sailed between Maryland and Ire- 
land. He died at Limerick, Ireland, August, 1673, unmarried, and left his 
estate to the children of his brother Ciiarles and sister Catherine. Ham- 
mond claimed of Leighton's children a share of their uncle's legacy for his 
own children, and, after a lawsuit, obtained it. 

Mr. Nicholas Frost was an uneducated farmer. His signature to papers 
was with a mark. He was, however, esteemed a trustworthy, judicious 



2 3Iemo{r of Charles Frost. ^\H^ 

citizen, as appears from the fact of his appointment to responsible offices, as 
constable and selectman. 

Charles Frost, who succeeded to the homestead of his father Nich- 
olas, at the head of Sturgeon Creek, became a distinguished man, both in 
civil and military life. In narrating the events of his life, it will be neces- 
sary to connect them with a brief sketch of the political history of Pascata- 
qua, comprising the present towns of Kittery, Elliot, and South Berwick. 
They were designated by the first settlers by local names, as Kittery Point, 
Spruice Creek, now Kittery, Sturgeon Creek, in Elliot, Newichewannick, 
extending from the mouth of the river at South Berwick to the mills at 
Great Works, so called, Quampegan, still known as such, and Salmon Falls. 
These names were applied to the villages or settlements near them, and 
were all included under the plantation of Pascataqua. In 1G47 it was in- 
corporated under the name of Kittery, after a town of that name in Eng- 
land, where several of the emigrants formerly resided. Berwick was sep- 
arately incorporated in 1723, being for some time previous designated as 
Union Parish. Elliot was separated from Kittery in 1810, and South Ber- 
wick from Berwick in 1824. In 1G36 the number of inhabitants in all these 
towns was two hundred, the population of Maine being one thousand four 
hundred. The grand highway of the inhabitants of Pascataqua was on the 
river, to Portsmouth, Dover, and Exeter. 

The first settlement of Pascataqua followed soon after that of Plymouth. 
In 1G22 the Council of Plymouth (England) granted to John Mason and 
Sir Ferdinando Gorges "all the lands situated between the rivers Merrimac 
and Kennebec," by the name of "the Province of Laconia." These two 
gentlemen, with some associates, constituting the company of Laconia, 
erected salt works at Little Harbor, near Portsmouth, and carried on fish- 
ing and furtradino; with the Indians. In 162 4 Ambrose Gibbons built a 
mill at Newichewannick, (South Berwick,) which was soon after managed 
by Humphrey Chadborne. The company appointed AValter Neal their 
agent, who served till 1634, when he was succeeded by Francis Williams. 
Failing of anticipated success, most of the company of Laconia became dis- 
couraged, and sold out to Gorges and Mason, who, in 1634, divided their 
lands, Mason taking New Hampshire, and Gorges taking all eastward of 
the Pascataqua to Kennebeck, which he called JYciv ScnucrsetsJiire. 

Settlements were made on the eastern shore of the river, at Kittery Point, 
Spruce Creek, Sturgeon Creek, and Newichewannick. Gorges sold to 
Mason a strip of land along the whole length of the river, three miles wide, 
including the mills at South Berwick, but Mason soon died, and this revert- 
ed back to Gorges, and was reannexed to Somersetshire. William Gorges, 
nephew of Sir Ferdinando, was appointed governor, and served two years. 
The courts were at this time held at Saco, which was settled earlier. 

The agent of Pascataqua, Williams, was directed to encourage emigra- 
tion from England; and, between 1034 and 1640, a large number of per- 
sons arrived, among whom were Nicholas Frost and family. It is not 
known precisely what year he arrived, but, from the fact that he was ap- 
pointed to an important office in 1640, it is probable he came much earlier, 
perhaps 1635 or 1636. The settlers were allowed to take up as much land 
as they could fence, by paying two shillings and two and a half per acre, for 
one hundred years. Nicholas Frost took four hundred acres. 

In 1639 Sir Ferdinando Gorijes obtained a new charter under the name 
of the Province or County of Maine. Another nephew of his, Thomas 
Gorges, was appointed deputy governor, with six councillors. The courts 
were held at Saco and York. In June, 1640, the governor and council 



Memoir of Charles Frost. 3 

held a court at Saco, where, among otlier ofiicers appointed, was NIcliolag 
Frost, as constable of Pascatnqua. Sir Ferdinando caused Afi-amenticiis 
(old York) to be erected into a borough, and soon after into a city, called 
Georgeana, with mayor and aldermen. Being involved in the civil wars 
now raging in England, and connected with the prostrated party, he was 
imprisoned during his few remaining days, and his nephew. Governor 
Thomas Gorges, becoming discontented, resigned his office at the end of 
three years, wdien his commission expired, and returned home to England, 
leaving Maine without a successor. The council appointed one of their 
number, a Mr. Vines, as deputy governor, in 1G44. 

A claim had recently been set up to the eastern part of Maine, from 
Kennebunk river to Kennebeck, under what was called the Plough patent, 
by one Kigby, of England, who appointed George Cleves as his deputy or 
agent. Cleves made interest with Massachusetts, and with the commission- 
ers of plantations in England, who decided that Rigby's title was undoubt- 
edly good, and this decision left Sir Ferdinando in possession of only the 
land between Kennebunk and Pascataqua rivers. He, however, died soon 
after. 

The whole province of Maine was badly governed, and, after a time, the 
people became desirous of following the example of New Hampshire, whose 
inhabitants, a few jenrs previous, (1G12,) applied for and obtained annexa- 
tion to Massachusetts. This government was very willing to receive Maine 
in like manner, and, "by a plausible construction of their own charter," 
claimed it as their property. The claimants under both Rigby and Gorges, 
through tlieir agents, Cleves and Godfrey, though previously opposed to 
each other, united now, in resisting the claim of Massachusetts. But the 
inhabitants under Gorges were anxious for annexation, and it was soon ef- 
fected. In 1652 four commissioners were sent from Boston to Pascatnqua, 
or Kittery, as it was now called, where a court was held during four days, 
and, after much discussion and altercation, they received the concession of 
forty -one persons, among whom were jSTicholas Frost and his son, Ckadcs 
Frost. 

The other towns west of Kennebunk river immediately followed their 
example, and, in process of time, the towns eastward, in lligby's patent, 
submitted in like manner. In 1653 Kittery sent a representative to the 
general court of Massachusetts, and, in 1658, Charles Frost, then 2(j years 
of age, was chosen to'the office, which he held live years. 

In 1660 Ferdinando Gorges, grandson of the baronet, laid claim to the 
province as heir at law. King Charles II. sanctioned the claim, and, in 
1664, ordered it to be restored to him. Nichols, Cai-r, Cartwright, and Mav- 
erick v,^ere directed by the king to demand possession and to hold coui'ts. A 
sharp altercation took place between them and the general court of jNIassa- 
chusetts, and they left for Maine without effecting a reconciliation. The king 
wrote a reprimand to the people of Massachusetts and Tdaine, and required 
them to restore the province to Gorges forthwith. Archdale, an api)ointed 
a'^Mit, made the demand of the Massachusetts government ; but instead of 
com[)lying, they ordered a county court, consisting of Thomas Danforth and 
others asjudges, to be lield at York. But on arriving at Portsmouth, the 
court were forbid to enter IMaine. They therefore returned to Boston, fol- 
lowed by the king's coraissioners, who were so insolent and overbearing to 
the government as to prevent all further conference. They were soon after 
recalled or dismissed from office. 

The interrupted state of the courts caused by these contentions, left 
Maine without suitable legislation or courts of justice. In 1668 Massachu- 



4 Memoir of Oharles Frost. 

setts sent four commissioners to hold a court in York, where they met the 
justices appointed by the king's commissioners ready to hold a court also. 
After much quarrelling those of Massachusetts prevailed, and a government 
and court were organized in due form. The following year, 1609, the 
province, after a suspension of three years, again sent representatives to the 
general court, among whom was Charles Frost of Kittery. 

The militia of Maine was now organized into six companies, one of which 
was commanded by Charles Frost. 

The Dutch war ensued, which engrossed the attention of the king, and 
thus gave Massachusetts a short respite from his interferences. But after 
a time the claim of Gorges's heirs was again renewed, and, to obviate all 
further trouble from them, it was deemed the wisest policy to buy them 
out. This was effected through the agency of John Usher, for the sum of 
£1200. This procedure displeased the king, who was at the time trying to 
negotiate for it with Gorges's heirs, intending it as a place for one of his 
court favorites. He wrote a reprimanding letter to the government ; but 
the bargain was made and completed, and Gorges's claim for ever extin- 
guished. 

Although Massachusetts had by purchase become "the assignee and pro- 
prietor of Maine, yet it was contended that she must govern it according to 
the stipulations in Gorges's charter," and not as a constituent part of her 
own colony. Accordingly it was determined to restore the form of civil 
administration established by Gorges, subject, however, to the general over- 
sight and direction of her governor and assistants. They therefore appoint- 
ed, in 1680, a president (Thomas Danforth) and six assistants or council- 
lors, who were to act as judges of the courts. Among the six councillors 
thus appointed was Charles Frost. He was also appointed at the same 
time commander-in-chief of the Maine regiment. 

Edward Randolph, the bitter enemy of the colonies, was appointed by the 
crown as collector and surveyor. He acted as an emissary and secret in- 
former against Massachusetts, representing her government and people as 
enemies to the authorities in England, and presented grave accusations to 
the throne against her best men, which threatened to result in the upsetting 
of her charter. So imminent was the danger of this, that in order to avoid 
it, she would willingly have relinquished her title to Maine. At length, 
however, the fatal blow was struck. On the 4th of June, 1084, the charter 
was adjudged to be forfeited, and the liberties of the colonies were seized 
by the crown. Colonel Kirke, a brutal tyrant, was appointed governor, but 
Charles II. died the following February, 1685, which annulled the appoint- 
ment before his arrival, and his successor, James II., did not incline to 
renew it.*^ 

The general court was soon after annihilated by the arrival (May, 1086) 
of Joseph Dudley as President of New England, with the names of fifteen 
councillors, among whom was John Usher and the odious Randolph. In a 
few months Dudley was succeeded by Sir Edmond Andros, a man of des- 
potic temper. He was* subsequently commissioned (1688) as President of 
New England and New York, and New Jersey. His council consisted of 
thirty-nine members, among whom were John Usher and Joseph Dudley. 
His government was arbitrary and despotic. The people chafed under it 
until they became desperate. In the spring of 1689 a rumor was spread 
among them that the governor's guards were to be let loose on Boston. 
This produced an explosion, and early in the morning of April 8, the popu- 

* Williamson. 



Memoir of Charles Frost, 5 

lace rose in a mass, seized the governor and thirty of his more obnoxious 
partizans, and confined them, some of them twenty weeks. Andros surren- 
dered the keys, but not without some reluctance. 

As soon as Andros was deposed, a general convention was held at Bos- 
ton, which appointed a council of safety, consisting of Danforth, Bradstreet, 
and thirty-four others. In about thirty days after this the joyful news ar- 
rived, not, however, unexpected, that James had abdicated, and that Wil- 
liam and Mary had ascended the throne. The council recommended that 
delegates be chosen by towns, and, accordingly, fifty-four towns were repre- 
sented at Boston, May 22d, who voted "to resume the government accord- 
ing to charter rights," and they appointed Bradstreet governor, and Dan- 
forth lieutenant governor. 

Danforth had presided over Maine as a province, assisted by Charles 
Frost, Francis Hooke, and others, for the term of six years. But JNIaine, 
like Massachusetts, was involved in the overturning and arbitrary measures 
of Dudley and Andros, under whose administration courts were held at 
York by William Stoughton, John Usher, and others. The council of safe- 
ty now reinstated the former governor and council of Maine, namely, Dan- 
forth, Frost, Ilooke, and others. They also appointed and " commissioned 
Charles Frost to command the western regiment, and Edward Tyng the 
eastern regiment of Maine." 

The province was soon after reannexed as a constituent part of Massa- 
chusetts, and remained so for more than a century. Charles Frost wns 
appointed in 1G93 one of the three councillors from Maine, which office he 
held till his death, in 1697. 

It may serve to illustrate the customs of early times in respect to drink- 
ing, to insert an ordinance of the court in 1G90, soon after Danforth was 
deposed, and to relieve the fatiguing detail of dates and events which we 
have now passed through. "July 15, 1G90. In the court of sessions of the 
peace for the Province of Maine, held at York before Major John Davis, 
Deputy president. Major Charles Frost, Captain Francis Hooke, and John 
Wincoln, Justices. Whereas, there is great complaint made of several 
abuses taken notice of in ordinaries, by excessive drinking of rum, flip, and 
other strong liquor, the ill consequences of which are seen in the misbe- 
havior of several persons in the presence of authority ; for the preventing 
of the like in future it is therefore ordered, that if any ordinary or tavern 
keeper should sell any rum. Hip, or other strong drink, to an inhabitant of 
the town, except in case of sickness or necessity, or more than one gill to a 
stranger, he should forfeit his licence."* 

The foregoing sketch of the political history of the western part of IMaine 
during Major Frost's life, and of the services he rejndered in various re- 
sponsible offices, exhibits clearly the high estimation in which he was held 
by his fellow citizens and the government. His military services remain 
to be noticed. Trained from childhood to agricultural employments and to 
the still more invigorating toils of the hunter, and removed from the ener- 
vating influences of polished life, he acquired the stamina of body and mind 
which fitted him for the arduous and perilous duties of savage warfare. 
The howling of wolves around his father's cabin was his evening enter- 
tainment, and, from the neighboring hill-top, his morning vision could sur- 
vey the curling smoke arising from numerous Indian villages on the tribu- 
tary streams of the Pascataqua. The savage yell and war whoop awakened 
no fearful throbbings in his youthful heart, but rather served to enkindle a 

* Collections of the Maine Historical Society. 



6 Memoir of Charles Frost. 

zeal for daring and heroic achievements. He early evinced a fondness for 
military exercises and parade, and being enrolled as a soldier at sixteen, he 
gradually rose, through successive grades, to be commander-in-chief of the 
militia of Maine. 

His early fondness for the use of firearms led him, at the age of fourteen, 
to an accidental deed which occasioned great sorrow to himself and others. 
He unintentionally killed a comrade, named Warwick Heard. He submit- 
ted himself at once for trial by a jury, which took place at Wells, July G, 
1G4G. The jury were ordered by the court to inquire whether the killing 
was from malice, or accidental, or a misadventure. They reported that 
"they find that Charles Frost did kill Warwick Heard by misadventure, 
and acquit him by proclamation." 

It was the practice of the militia of Maine to train in companies six times 
a year, and to have general musters once in two years. The county records 
contain the following account of a sentence passed upon a soldier in 1G74 
by the court, which may interest the reader. ''Richard Gibson complained 
of for his dangerous and mutinous conduct towards his commander Captain 
Charles Frost, which misbehaviour api)earing in court, the court order as 
follows, 1. that the said Gibson, for striking Captain Frost at the head of 
his company, is appointed to receive, by John Parker senior, twenty-five 
stripes on the bare skin, Avhich were this day given him in presence of the 
court. And further, considering the insolence of the said Gibson's behav- 
iour in the premises, it is further ordered that Captain Frost shall have and 
is empowered by warrant, to call beibre him the said Richard Gibson, the 
next training day at Kittery, and whither he is to order him to be laid neck 
and heels together at the head of his company for the time of two hours, or 
to ride the wooden horse at the head of the company, which of these pun- 
ishments Captain Frost shall see meet to appoint ; and, for the said Gib- 
son's multiplying of oaths, he is fined 20 shillings ; and, for being drunk is 
fined 10 shillings, and to pay all charges of court, and to stand committed 
until the sentence be performed ; and further, the said Gibson is required 
to give bonds for his good behaviour of £20. that the said Gibson shall be 
of good behaviour towards all persons, and more especially towards Captain 
Frost, until the next county court, and that the said Gibson shall appear at 
Kittery, when required by Captain Frost, there to perform the order of 
court, and further that he pay to the county treasurer 82 shillings. James 
Warren, as abettor, is sentenced to ride the wooden horse."* 

Military discipline was practised among the settlers, in anticipation of a 
war on the seaboard, rather than against savages from the interior. Perfect 
peace had existed with these during the first forty years of the settlement, 
with the exception of.a short conflict with the Pequods, in the year IGoG, in 
which the people of Maine scarcely participated. But the time was arriving 
when a savage war was suddenly to break out in every part of New Eng- 
land. Its approach was foreseen and predicted by the Indian Sagamore 
Knowles, who resided at Quampegan, in South Berwick, and was Sachem or 
governor of the tribe that previously occupied the shores of the Pascataqua. 
"In 1670, when Knowles was bed rid of sickness and age, he complained 
of the great neglect with which the English treated him. At length he 
sent a message to some of the principal ]nen of Kittery to visit him. ''Being 
loaded with years,' as he told them, 'I had expected a visit in my infirmi- 
ties, especially from those who are now teiuuits on the land of my fathers. 
Though all these plantations are of right my children's, I am forced, in this 

* York County Records. 



Memoir of diaries Frost, J 

age of evils, humbly to request a few acres of land to be marked out for 
them, and recorded as a pubHc act in the town books, so that when I am 
gone they may not be perishing beggars in the pleasant })laces of their 
birth. For I know that a great war will shortly break out between the 
wliite men and Indians over the whole country. At first the Indians will 
kill many and prevail, but after three years they will be great sufferers, and 
finally be rooted out and destroyed.' This was sworn to by Major Ricliard 
AYaldron, Captain Charles Frost, and, Rev. Joshua Moody, who were pres- 
ent and heard it." 

The war of King Phillip began in lG7o, five years after the date of 
Frost's commission as captain, and of Roger Plaisted's as his lieutenant. 
The former had immediate charge of the garrisons at Sturgeon Creek, (El- 
liot,) where he resided, and the latter of Salmon Falls and Quampegan. 
The first alarm of Phillip's war was in June, 1G7G, and spread like wildfire. 
In twenty days the flame broke out on the Kennebeck river. Depredations 
and murders were committed by numerous parties of savages in quick suc- 
cession upon the scattered settlements. In September a party approached 
Durham, near Dover, killed two and took captive two. A few days after 
they attacked the house of one Tozier, at Newichewannick, (South Berwick) 
which contained fifteen women and children, all of whom, with the exception 
of two children, were saved by the intrepidity of a girl of eighteen. On 
seeing the Indians approach the house, she shut the door and braced herself 
against it till the others escaped to the next house, which was better secured. 
The Indians chopped the door down with hatchets, and knocking her down, 
left her for dead ; but she recovered. They murdered several other per- 
sons, and burnt houses. The inhabitants were panic struck and fled to the 
garrisons, where they lived in constant fear of an attack. 

On the IGth of October, lG7o, they made an onset upon Salmon Falls. 
Lieutenant Plaisted sent out a party of seven from his garrison to recon- 
noitre. They fell into an ambush and three were killed, the rest retreated. 
The next day, Plaisted, venturing out with his team to bring in the dead 
for burial, was waylaid and fell into another ambush. He and his son were 
killed, and another son mortally wounded. In the midst of the fight he 
despatched messengers to his superior oificers, Major Waldron of Dover, 
and Captain Frost, imploring their aid and their prayers, but their aid 
came too late.* The gallantry of Plaisted arrested the progress of the In- 
dians for a time, and Captain Frost had an opportunity to bury the dead 
unmolested. 

But the Indians soon returned, and, destroying other lives and dwellings, 
they proceeded to Sturgeon Creek and burnt a house and killed two men. 
The house of Captain Frost being a little remote from neighbors and un- 
fortified, was marked out by them for destruction. "He was a short dis- 

-^ The following? letter is preserved in Hubbard's most valuable History of the Indian 
Wars, Part ii. p. 23, Boston edition, 4to, 1677. 

'' Salmon Falls October 16. 1075. Mr. Rirhnrd Walihrn and Lient. CoJ/in, these arc to 
inform you, that just now the Indians arc en^^aging tis with at least am hundred men, And 
have slain four of our men ah-eadv, Richard Tozer, James Barny, Imack Bottes, and Tozers 
/Son, and burnt Benoni Hodsdan's house; Sir,!? ever you have any love for us, and the 
Country, now show your self with men to help us, or else we are all in great danger to be 
slain, unless our God wonderfully appear for our Deliverance. They that cannot fight, let 
them pray ; Not else, but I Kcst, Yours to serve you „, . , 

Signed by Bogcr Plaisted, 

George. Brotighfon." 

For more full accounts of these times oi" terror the reader is referred to the author above 
cited, to Belknap's "New Hampshire," and Williamson's "Maine" — Ed. 



8 Memoir of Charles Frost, 

tance from it when attacked, and narrowly escaped the effect of ten shots 
aimed at him. There were only three boys with him in the house," (prob- 
ably his sons) "yet he had the forethought and prudence to give out audible 
words of command, as if a body of Indians was with him — load quick! lire 
there ! that's well ! brave men ! — a stratagem which saved themselves and 
the house."* 

The Indians proceeded down the shore of the Pascataqua, and thence 
eastward through York, burning houses and killing people wherever they 
found them unguarded, so that in the short period of three months, eighty 
lives were taken, a great many houses plundered and burnt, and^ animals 
killed. 

Frost wrote to his commander, Major Waldron, at Dover, for permission 
to garrison his house, which he was directed to do, and to keep a constant 
guard and watch, as the following letter will show. 

Capt. Trost and sergnt neall 

Gentelmen I thought to have mett with you here at maior Sheply's [Shaplegh] l3ut un- 
derstanding the guns were herd about Stargoon Crccck it is avcH you tooke your inarch as 
you did — my dasier and order is that you garrison you owne liouse with 10 men and doe 
your beste now the snow is vpon the grond which will be Aduantadge upon ther tracks. 
Your letter I rescued about garrisoning your house. We have a party of men upon your 
side coraanded by goodman iDanmore (?) and Jolm wingut [Wingate?] and Joseph Fild 
are going out this night: and in Case you want men goe to the garrisons abouc and espe- 
cially Samon fauU and take men for any expedition : and all the Comanders of the garri- 
sons are hereby requierd to Atand your order herin and this shall be your surficant war- 
rant. 

dated this 8 nomber 1675 about 3 oclock. 

Your servent Richard AYaldern 

Sergeut Maior 
I intend god willing to be at 
nachwanack to morrow morning 
therfor would dasier to her from you 

R: W. 

As the winter approached, the Indians found themselves destitute of am- 
munition and provisions and in danger of starvation. All the neighboring 
Sagamores, from Dover to Casco, sued for peace, which, being granted by 
"Waldron, they were quiet for seven months, till August, 1G7G, in whicli 
month the war at the west terminated by the death of King Phillip. Some 
of his adherents fled from the conquered tribe to the eastward, and mixed 
with their brethren of Penacook, (Concord, N. H.,) Ossipee, Pickwacket, 
(Fryeburg,) and Saco. Others mixed with the Kennebeck and Amoriscogen 
tribes, which were ravaging all the eastern settlements of Maine. 

Waldron and Frost received orders this same month to kill and destroy 
all hostile Indians, and two companies, commanded by Captains Hawthorn 
and Sill, were sent from Boston to Maine with like orders. On their way 
thither they came to Dover, September 6th, 167G, where four hundred 
mixed Indians were assembled at the garrison of Major Waldron, with 
whom they had made peace, and whom they considered their friend and 
father. Hawthorn and Sill were for attacking them at once, but Waldron 
objected*© it, and contrived to take them by stratagem. He proposed to 
the Indians to have a sham-fight, and, on the following day, summoned his 
men with Captain Frost and his men, who were at Pascataqua. They, in 
conjunction, formed one party, and the Indians another. Having diverted 
them a while in this manner with manoeuvres, and induced the Indians to 
fire the first volley, tliey surrounded and seized the whole of them with pe- 
culiar dexterity, excepting two or three, before they could form a suspicion 

* Williamson's History of Maine. 



Memoir of Charles Frost. 9 

of what they intended, and disarmed them without the loss of a man on 
either side. They then separated those known to be friendly, and dismissed 
them. The strangers from the south and Avest, amounting to three hundred 
were sent to Boston to be dealt with judicially, seven or eif^ht of whom be- 
ing known to have killed Englishmen, were hanged ; the remainder were 
sold into foreign slavery. Public opinion has ever been divided as to the 
propriety of the whole affair. Be that as it may, the two leading oilicers 
concerned in it, Waldron and Frost, after a lapse of many years, paid the 
forfeit of their lives at the hands of savages, who always spoke of the strat- 
agem as a base yankee trick.* 

Two days after this surprisal the forces proceeded eastward, but they 
found the settlements all deserted or destroyed, and they soon returned and 
made an excursion to Ossipy ponds, which proved alike fruitless. 

After a time an Indian named Mogg came in and proposed peace ; but 
it was soon violated, and no alternative was left but to renew hostilities. 
Accordingly in February following, 1677, Waldron and Frost, with one 
hundred and fifty men, sailed from Boston eastward. Public prayers were 
offered on the day of their departure. They landed at Brunswick, where they 
held a parley with Indians, who promised to bring in captives that after- 
noon. But no more was heard of them till the next day, when there was 
seen a flotilla of canoes approaching, who menaced a scouting party sent 
towards the place of landing. But Captain Frost attacked them from an 
unexpected quarter, killing and wounding several. This led to another 
parley, which resulted in the recovery of none of the promised captives. 
They then sailed to the mouth of the Kennebeck, and held a parley with 
an assemblage of Indians on shore. "It was mutually agreed to lay aside 
arms, and to negotiate for the ransom of prisoners. The Indians demanded 
twelve beaver skins for each, with some good liquor, but only three captives 
could be obtained. Another parley was proposed, when Waldron, Frost, 
and three others landed under a mutual promise that no weapons should be 
M'orn on either side. But Waldron espied the point of a lance under a 
board, and searching further, found other weapons, and taking and bran- 
dishing one towards them exclaimed, Ferfidious luretches ! you intended to 
get our goods and then kill us, did you ? They were thunder struck. Yet 
one more daring than the rest seized the weapon and strove to wrest it from 
Waldron's hand. A tumult ensued, in which his life was much endangered. 
Captain Frost laid hold of Megunnaway, one of the barbarous murderers of 
Thomas Bracket and neighbors, and dragged him into his vessel. Mean- 
while an athletic squaw caught up a bundle of guns and ran for the woods. 
At that instant a reinforcement arrived from the vessels, when the Indians 
scattered in all directions, pursued by the soldiers. In this affray Sagamore 
Maltahouse and an old powow and five otlier Indians were killed, five were 
capsized in a canoe and drowned, and five others were captured. One 
thousand pounds of beef were taken, and some other booty. Megunnaway, 
grown hoary in crimes, was shot."t 

They left a garrison of forty men near the mouth of the Kennebeck, un- 
der Captain Davis, and returned to Boston, IMarch 11, without the loss of a 
man. 

A few days after they sailed from the Kennebeck, eleven of the forty 
men they left tliere were cut off in an ambush, and the others were ordered 
to otlier forts at Casco and Saco. Seventy men were now ordered eastward 
from Pascataqua, under Captain Swaine, to afford relief On the 7th of 

* Belknap. t Williamson's History of Maine. 



10 Memoir of Charles Frost. 

April, seven men were killed in the fields near York, and six in Wells, 
three at Black Point, and in May, another attack was made on York, in 
which four were killed and two taken prisoners. In June, (1G77,) two 
hundred and forty men were sent to Black Point, under Miijor Swett, sixty 
of whom, with their commander, fell in an encounter with the enemy. The 
Indians next tried their fortune upon fishing vessels along the shore, be- 
tween Wells and Casco, (Portland,) and succeeded in cr.pturing twenty. 
During all this spring and summer Captain Frost was constantly engaged 
in superintending the garrisons of the county of York. The following or- 
der, now in the writer's possession, was given in May. 

To Cfipt Charles Trost 
You arc hereby Required in his ]\Iajtics name to Impressc six abl- Souldiers either of 
Tor Own town or others compleatly flitted wth Armes & Araunition tt Attend ye Service 
of ye Country in yor Garrison or otherwise as you shall see meet, & this shall be yor sufli- 
cient Wartt from 

Richard Waldern Serget maior 
2: May 1677 

In April he received the following, from General Dennison, the com- 
mander-in-chief. 

To Captain Charles Frost — 

You are hereby authorised to take imder your command and conduct fifty foot soldiers 
herewith sent you of the county of Essex and Norfold — commandiutr' them to obey you 
as their captain, whom you are to lead and conduct against the common Enemy now in- 
festing Yorkshire, whom you are with all diligence to pursue and destroy as also to succor 
and assist the English of Wells, York Neechiwannick or elsewhere, as you shall have op- 
])ortunity. And the said soldiers are hereby required to attend your orders and commands 
for the prosecution of the enemy as abovesaid, according to the rules and orders of mili- 
tary discipline, and you are to attend such orders & instructions as from time to time you 
shall receive from myself or other superior authority and for so doing this shall be your 
warrant. 

Dated April 12 1677. Daniel Dennison Major General. 

Instructions for Capt. Charles Frost 

You must take notice that the party of souldiers now sent you arc designed cheifely for 
the defense of Yorkeshire & the dwellinges on the upper j^arts of Pascatay. You are ihcr- 
fore principally so to improve them, by your constant marches about the borders of Wells, 
Yorke, Nochiwannick Cochecho Exeter liaueril &c. as you shal have intelligence of the 
enemies' motion, whom you are upon every opportunity without delay to pcrsue & en- 
deavor to take Capteve, kill & destroy. 

Having notice of any partie of the enemy at any fishing place or other rendevous you 
shall lay hold on such opportunity to assault the enemy. 

If you shall luidcrstand the enemy to be too numerous for your smal partie you shall 
advise wth Major Walderne and desire his Assistance to furnish you Avth a greater force 
for a present service, but if you judg the opportunity or advantage may be lost by such a 
delay you shall for a present service require the inhabitants or garrison souldiers of the 
])lace where you are or so many as may be necessary for you & safe for the place imedi- 
atcly to attend you upon such present service for destroying the enemy. 

In all your motions & marches, silence & speed will be your advantage & security. 

You must supply your present wants of victuals & amvmition for your souldiers out of 
the tov.-nes & places where you come, especially from Portsmouth to Avhom I have writt 
for that end, & if a larger supply be wanting you shal give notice thereof to my selfo or the 
Governr & Cormsel. 

The necessity &. distress of those parts & confidence of your Courage & industry doe 
require your utmost activity in the management of this business wthout spending neede- 
less expensive delayes up and be doing & the Lord prosper your endeavors. 

You shall from time to time give intelligence of all occurrences of moment to Ma-jor 
Walderne, h my selfe, & as much as may be wthout })rejudice of the service advise wth 
Miijor Walderne & the Gentelmen of Portsmouth upon whom you must principally de- 
pend for your ])resent supplyes 

[Then follows in another hand :] 

for Charles Frost 

These ar the Instructions Received from ye Majr Gcnerall at the same time as his 
Comiss of A])rill 1G77 & delivered to him "the 13th according to order 

Yours llobt Pike 

Sergt 



Memoir of Charles Frost, ' 11 

Such were the calamities and distresses in the spring and summer of 
1G77, when an unexpected relief came, by the arrival of a force at Kenne- 
beck, sent by Sir Edmond Andros, from New York, acting under a claim 
to the territory from the Duke of York. Finding tlie Indians pacific, the 
commander obtained the release of fifteen captives and some vessels. Dur- 
ing the autumn and winter following, no further ravages were committed. 
In the spring (April) a treaty was negotiated by Major Shapleigh, (who 
succeeded Major Frost as commander,) at Portsmouth, in which it was 
stipulated that all captives should be released without ransom; former in- 
habitants to return to their homes and live unmolested, but were to pay a 
peck of corn yearly, each family. Thus ended King Phillip's war in Maine; 
a war in which two hundred and sixty were killed or taken captive east of 
the Pascataqua, a vast number of houses burnt, animals slaughtered, and 
property plundered. 

The next year, 1G78, Charles Frost, with two others, represented Maine 
in the general court, from which time he continued in the office and in at- 
tending to his private affairs, until he was appointed by the governor and 
council of Massachusetts one of the eight members of tlie provincial council 
of Maine, to act under Gorges's charter, which Massachusetts had assumed. 
The council consisted of Bryant Pendleton, Charles Frost, Francis Hooke, 
John Davis, Samuel Wheelwright, Edward Tyng, and John Lincoln. 

The arrival of Dudley and Andros, in 1688, as Presidents of New Eng- 
land, superseded the provincial government of Maine, which had lasted six 
years. Danforth and his council were proscribed, and very little is heard 
of Frost until Andros w^as overthrown, April 18tli, 1689, after a reign of 
one or two years. It was during the last year of this reign, 168*J, that 
another Indian war broke out, which went by the name of King William's 
w^ar, and lasted ten years. No sooner ^vas Andros deposed than the pro- 
vincial government of Maine, consisting of Danforth, Frost, and others, who 
had been proscribed by Andros, were reinstated, and the times being peril- 
ous as in the former war, led to the appointment of Charles Frost as com- 
mander of the military forces in Maine. 

The war of King WilHam began in August, 1688, in North Yarmouth 
and Kenneb( ck. In April following, Dover was taken by stratagem and 
mostly destroyed. Major Waldron was inhumanly tortured, in a savage 
manner. Tw^enty-three persons were killed and twenty-nine carried into 
captivity. The seizure of four hundred Indians in that place "more than 
twelve years before was a transaction never to be forgotten, never to be 
forgiven by savages." Some of those sold in Boston as slaves and sent into 
distant lands had probably returned, and v/ere bent on revenge. It was 
unfortunate for Major Frost that he was obliged to aid Waldron in the cap- 
ture of the four hundred, as it cost him his life ere the present war termi- 
nated. 

Being in command of the western regiment, and having the forts and 
garrisons under his special care. Frost was not ordered eastward, that sec- 
tion of Maine being placed under the more immediate command of Dudley 
Tyng. Major Swaine was sent, with six hundred mditia, to tlie eastward, 
accompanied by Colonel Church, who had signalized himself in King Phil- 
lip's war at the west. He was appointed by Andros to lead the forces 
against the Indians at Brunswick and Kennebeck, and was continued in the 
same service after Andros was deposed. But Church's success in his five 
eastern expeditions i'ell short of public expectation. 

Major Frost's presence was greatly needed at the western part of Maine. 
Only a few days belbre the date of his commission, August, 1680, the In- 



12 Memoir of Charles Frost, 

dians entered at Salmon Falls, (Berwick) under the command of Hart el, a 
Frenchman, with a force of Indians and French, killed thirty-fonr brave 
men and carried away captive fifty-four persons, mostly women and chil- 
dren, and plundered and burnt the houses and mills. In the following 
spring they revisited Brunswick and Dover, killing and destroying what 
was left, and extending their ravages to Sturgeon Creek, where Frost re- 
sided, and to many places on the opposite shore of the Pascataqua. 

When Colonel Church left Boston for Casco, with two hundred and fifty 
men, to join Colonel Swaine, he took with him a mandatory letter to the 
military commanders in Maine, from President Danforth, (then in Boston, 
as president of the board of commissioners of the united colonies,) requiring 
them to supply him wi<h men and means, which Major Frost promptly 
obeyed; and the following May, 1690, he received orders to detach one 
hundred men for Port Royal, near Portland, to serve under Captain Wil- 
lard, many of whom were drawn into an ambush and slain by savages. It 
would seem, in fact, that Major Frost, residing as he did in the town nearest 
to Boston, was employed as a sort of general agent, or secretary of war for 
the province of Maine, all orders being transmitted through him. The fol- 
lowing is his commission as commander of the Maine forces, which he con- 
tinued to hold till his death. 

The President of the Province of Mayne in New England. 
To Major Charles Frost. 

Whereas you are appointed Sergt. Major of the military fforces in the Province. These 
are in their ^lajesties names to authorise and require you to take into your care and con- 
duct the said military forces, and dilitrently to intend that service as Sergent Major, by 
Governing and exercising the military forces of said Province as the Law directeth. Com- 
manding the Militia of said Province that they observe and obey all such orders and direc- 
tions as from time to time you shall receive from the president or other superior authority . 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the 23d day of August in 
the year 1689. Annoque K. R. et Regina Willielmi et Marire Anglica primo. 

Thomas Danforth President. 

[Instructions accompanying the above.] 

Province 

of Mayne. To Major Charles Ffrost 

Instructions as foUoweth 
Pursuant to the Comission signed, & bearing same date with these prsents 
You are with all care & speed to hasten gathering of your Soldjers together, and in case 
Capt. Simon Willard be in any wise disinablcd that he cant attend yt service you are to 
coniissionatc such other meet person as you shall Judge meet. & appoynt all other offi- 
cers as you shall have occasion. 

You shall in all places & by all waves & mcancs to your power take, kill, & destroy ye 
enemy without limitation of place or time as you shall have opportunity. & you ar also 
impowred to commissionatc any other person or persons to do the like. 

You shall carefully inspect all the Garisons in yr Province, & reduce them to such a 
numhcr, & appoynt such places as shall in yor wisdome most conduce to the preservation 
of the people, &'yt ye great charge now expended for ye same may be abated. 

Comitting you to ye Co & pe 

. of God almighty u])on whom you 

have all yor dcpendance 

I subscribe 
Ffeb. 17. 1689. Yor Loveing friend 

Tho : Danforth. Presidt. 
[Along the margin is written] 

I have prevailed with Lt. Andrews to come back esteemeing him afitt man for your Lt. 
and I would yt you accordingly entertcyn him. 
[Superscription.] 

To Maior Charles 

pfrost in 
P. Lt. Andros Q. D. C. Kitterv 

By constant vigilance on the part of Major Frost, the cast shore of the 
Pascataqua was preserved from savage incursions. His stldiers were con- 



Memoir of Charles Frost. 13 

stantly on the alert, scouting about the borders of the towns. The eastern 
towns were deserted. Some removed to Salem, others to the fort at Wells, 
but a great many were butchered or carried into captivity, so that before 
the war ended, the number killed eastward of Pascataqua amounted to 
four hundred and fifty, and two hundred and fifty were made captives. All 
the towns and settlements except Wells and Pascataqua were overrun, the 
former commanded by Major Converse, and the latter by Major Frost. 

In 1693 the war raged with increased barbarity. Spies were usually 
sent by the Indians to reconnoitre, before the enemy approached places in- 
tended for destruction, who lurked about the woods, and required a constant 
ward and watch. The following letter to Lieutenant Hill gives an idea of the 
vigilance and circumspection necessary to be observed in these trying times. 

April: 2: 1693 
Leiut Hill 

Last night a Litle after sun sett Noah Emory was coming from Kittery to Sturgion 
Creke & by the waie sid herd som crackling of stickes : & herd a man whissell : upon wliich 
he stopt under a bush : and went an other waie : John Smith coming after him saw a man 
nere Sturgion Creke bridge who ran a waie down the creke : Smith being on horse back 
came to my Garison — this morning I sent out som men who saw the Indian track at the 
same place where Noah Emerey herd him whissell — Kepe out scouts about the borders 
of the towne : I will send out from hence : all or souldiers at the banke are drawen of 
those yt belong to you are sent up : dispose of them to such garisons at present as you 
thinke titt : I have given two of them liberty to goe home for a few dayes : 

In hast I Remaine yor : Lo : freind 
[Superscribed] Charles Efrost major 

Efor Leiut John Hill 

At Newitchawoneck 

Hast Post Hast 

This Lieutenant Hill was soon after stationed at Fort Mary, in Saco, as 
commander. The following letter was addressed to him while there, and 
was written soon after the cowardly surrender of Fort Pemaquid, on the 
Kennebeck, and when the combined force of French and Indians had de- 
vastated the whole province of Maine, with the exception of Wells, York, 
and Pascataqua, and when it was feared by the government in Boston that 
even these would be destroyed by a merciless foe. 

Wells August 13th : 1G96 — 
Sonn Hill 

I am now at Wei's with twenty horse Intending to Com over to you but hereing of sev- 
erall guns about yor parts I have sent over three men to know how it is with you I have 
an order from the ^{overnor to assist you in drawing of: and I have an order from tlie 
Lent gouernor to draw of & bring a waie Avhat can be transported by Land: & to hide the 
rest in the ground v.-ith the great guns : but or townes arc soe weake for want of men that 
if the enemie be about you we fere wee are to weke to com and bring you of: I Avas in- 
formd as I writ to jou that Major Church was com to or assistants but it is not soe but tis 
said he is coming with three hunderd men: &, major Gidney with five hundred men to or 
assistants :or people are much troubled that yor fort should be Demollished: Capt Chubb 
gave up his fort without firing a gun against the Enemie, Let me here from you by the 
barer here of my Love to yor selfe and wife: I pray god to keepe you from the Eage of 
the Enemie: I Remaine 

tis said six Indians Yor Loving ffather in Law 

were sen here thi ; day Charles Efrost 

[Superscribed] 

To Capt. John Hill At Saco ffort 

Hast post Hast 

The fort at Saco was not surrendered by Hill, although all the inhab- 
itants of the town were driven away or killed, and many of Hill's soldiers 
were waylaid and murdered while venturing out of the fort. 

In June foUovving a party of Indians placed themselves near the town of 
Exeter, and world have destroyed it but for the firing of a gun by some 
one who wished to frighten some women and children who had gone out to 



14 Memoir of Charles Frost. 

gather strawberries. It however alarmed and brought together tlie people, 
with arms. The Indians, supposing they were discovered, after killing one 
and taking another, made a hasty retreat and w^ere seen no more until the 
4th of July, when they waylaid Captain Frost. 

It would require a volume to describe the many ambuscades, encounters, 
murders, conflagrations, and captivities that occurred during the ten years' 
war of King William, and it would exceed our limits even to name them in 
the brief manner we have those in King Phillip's war, which lasted only 
three or four years. Major Frost was constantly and actively engaged in 
military service till 1693, when he. was chosen one of the governor's council. 
After this he was employed between sessions in guarding the forts and gar- 
risons about Kittery, and in ordering out scouts and in transmitting the or- 
ders of government to the various military stations throughout the province. 
But the hour was approaching when his own life w^as to be offered a sacri- 
fice to appease the long stifled and festering revenge of merciless savages, 
for aiding in the Dover stratagem. He was always attentive to his duties 
as a Christian professor, as well as those of the soldier and statesman, and 
was constant in his attendance on public worship when other duties permit- 
ted. On Sabbath morning, July 4, 1G97, he expressed an unusually strong 
desire to go with his family to his wonted place of worship at Newichewan- 
nick, a distance of five miles. His wife and two sons, Charles and John, 
with some friends, accompanied him. On their return homeward, and with- 
in a mile of his dwelling, a volley of musketry Avas suddenly discharged at 
them, which brought several of them to the ground. It was the work of a 
j)arty of Indians hid by the wayside under a large log, in which they had 
stuck a row of green bougiis. The sons had passed ahead and escaped. 

Several versions are given by historians of this closing scene in Major 
Frost's life. One states that the Major, his wife, and two footmen were 
killed; another that nearly the whole party were killed; and another that 
three were killed and several wounded. A recent discovery of a letter 
written by a ]-elative, Lieutenant Storer, immediately after the funeral, 
which he attended, gives a particular account of the whole tragedy, which 
can be relied on. It was w^ritten to Major Frost's son-in-laAV, Capt. Hill, 
who command<3d the tort at Saco, and was found in an old chest of papers 
that had lain seventy years in a garret in South Berwick. It states that 
tlie Major, John Heard's wife, and Danes Downing were killed, and John 
Heard wounded, and they next day killed the messengers who were sent to 
Wells.* 

* Brother Hill my Kind Love to you with my wifes : hoping these few Lines will find 
yon in good health as wc are all at present Blessed be god for it; It hath pleased god to 
take a Avay; Major Frost — the Indens waylad him Last Sabbath day as he was cominge 
whom from meetting at night; and Killed him and John Hoards wife and Denes Down- 
ing: and Jolin Heard is wounded; the Good Lord santitie it to us all; it is a Great Loss 
to the whole Provinee: and Esj)esely to his famyley : and Last Monday the post that Cam 
to Welis as they went to goe whom the Indens Killed them a bout the marked tree: namly 
Nicholas Smitli Proper; and Hennery Simson ; Brother mistress Frost is very full of sory; 
and a!l her Cliildrcn; Cousen Charles and John was with there Father: and Escaped won- 
dm-fnly: and seuerall others with them; Capt Brekett went with som of his Company a 
IMonday by the way of Nechewanack and I went with tliem — and was there at the Major's 
Fun( r di ; and I see your wife full of greef : and your Child is well ; Mrs Frost and sister 
& all your Brothers & sisters Remembers theire loue to you; and Ernestly desires you to 
com over if you can possible without danger. 

pray doe not venter In the day to Com ; Remember our Love to all our Brothers and 
sisters and Cousens: and the good Lord Keepe us in these pei-reles times and santyfie all 
his Awfull dispensations to us noe more at present 

praying for you 

your uery Louinge Brother 

Wells the; 10th July 1697 Joseph Storer 



Memoir of Charles Frost. 15 

Such was the death of Major Charles Frost, after a career of clistin- 
guished activity and usefuhiess, both civil and military. The incidents of 
his life are gatliered from scanty records, authentic traditions, and from 
descri[)tions of scenes and events in history, in which he is casually men- 
tioned as having participated. To correct and arrange these materials in 
chronological order, after a lapse of nearly two centuries, was a laborious 
undertaking: and to present them free from errors, both of omission and 
commission, is neither pretended nor practicable. We have done the best 
our limited means would permit — to relate facts, in order to rescue from 
oblivion the name of a prominent pioneer of the wilderness, whose memory 
deserves the veneration of his numerous descendants. 

It remains to speak of his ftxmily and descendants. He married, at the 
age of forty-four, Mary, daughter of Joseph Bolles of Wells, who survived 
him seven years, and bore him three sons and six daughters. He followed 
the example of his father in naming his sons Charles, John, and Nicliolas. 
His daughters, named Sarah, Abigail, Mehitable, Lydia, Mary, and Eliza- 
beth, all settled and were prosperous in life. 

Charles, the oldest son, married Sarah Wainwright, and had nine chil- 
dren. By a second wife, who was Jane E. Pepperrell, widow of Sir Wil- 
liam's brother Andrew, he had one child. He was deacon of a church, 
Register and Judge of Probate, and commander of a regiment of miHtia. 
He resided on die homestead of his father. Major Fi-ost, whose remains 
repose in the re<'ir of his house, and the premises continue still in possession 
of the name. 

Bon. John Frost, second son of TJajor Charles, married Mary, sister of 
Sir William Pepperrell, and had sixteen children. He died 1732. She 
married again, tiie Rev. Dr. Colman of Boston, and afterwards Judge Pres- 
cott of Dan vers. Mr. Frost commanded a British ship of war, afterwards 
became a merchant at Newcastle, and was in political life, being one of the 
governor's council. His son John was Register of Deeds for York county, 
(Me.) and the oihce continued in the family nearly fifty years. He was 
commissary in t'ne Revolutionary War, during which no less than four or 
five of his family held oflices on land and sea, among whom was his son 
John, usually called Brigadier, who was a colonel in the army, and who left 
a numerous fiimily, John Frost, LL. D., of Philadel[)hia, being a grandson. 
Two other sons of Hon. John Frost (William and Joseph) were merchants 
at New Castle. Their descendants in Portsmouth and elscAvhere are higldy 
respectable. Another son, named George, settled in Durham, and was a 
judge and member of Congress. Another, named Charles, was a prominent 
man in Portland; died while a representative. One daughter, Sarah, mar- 
ried Rev. John Blunt of New Castle, and after his decease, Major John 
Hdl of South Berwick, a judge of the court and member of the governor's 
council. 

The descendants of the Rev. Jolm Blunt are numerous ; many of them 
reside in Portsmouth. One branch, consisting of Joseph and Nathaniel, 
lawyers, and Edmond and George, merchants, resides in New York. A 
daughter of Rev. John, named Abigail, married William Pai-sons, Esq., of 
Alfred, whose youngest son prepared this account of the Frosts. 

Nicholas Fw^i, the youngest son of Major Charles, died early in life and 
left a widow, but no children. 

Major Charles Frost left a large estate by will to his widow and children, 
dated 1G90. 



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